I’ll be honest, this number is “tricky” for me. I have spent more time reflecting on this “milestone” birthday, than any other. I talk about having gratitude every day. I have gratitude memes posted in many places to gently remind me to breathe. I daily say “Thank you” to the universe for so many things, and I really do mean it (tears). But, I find myself being drowned some days with ungracious thoughts of “sixty”. I’m too old. I’m too tired, I’m too tall, I’m too this or that. I can’t…I don’t have time…How can I ever…blah blah …this “number” is such a slippery slope for me.
Sixty. There are some things that will be welcoming into my life and there are a few things I will be saying goodbye to. I am acutely aware of my shortcomings and I am thankful that I still have “work” to do on myself. That means I am not dead, (haha) and I am thankful for that. I actually feel as if I am JUST beginning in some ways.
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A Word From Our Founder:
"There has been this trend lately, of women of all ages posting selfies of their faces the “nude” so to speak. Images that celebrate the raw and real and the “no makeup”
Sixty. Seems like a really big number. Seems odd to me that my insides don’t “feel” sixty…or do they? I mean, things sometimes hurt and things move a bit slower, and hang a bit lower (haha) but sixty? What is “that number” supposed to feel like? or look like?
When I leave hot yoga (which I try to do 3 times a week…I love you TOWER YOGA) I think, “OK I didn’t die, this is good…AND…I’m almost keeping up with the ‘kids’ so Sixty isn’t that bad” (-: But, there is also the reality that I really do not sleep very well (and I haven’t for years) and that is NOT keeping up with the “kids” and potentially create serious problems. This does make me feel “old”.
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Those of you that know me well, know that I have been in a difficult “season”. This whole entire last year, in general, has been pretty rough, but like most “rough” seasons, there are always bright spots…my sister and her husband moving to town, opening a second school, doing a great show with my beautiful daughter and hanging out with my son in Memphis. I truly am grateful…for all of it, down to the tips of my toes (that need a pedi) I am overflowing with love. There are so many amazing people in my life. That’s the best part of all. My family and friends, my work family (Fresno Music Academy & Arts), and of course, my fur babies.
Thank you, sixty."
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Spring Fling Showcase
"The FMAA SPRING FLING Student Showcase was a GREAT success! Yes, it was warm but not nearly as hot as last year. ALL the students did a fantastic job. THANK YOU to all the parents, families, and friends that came out to support their students. THANK YOU to all the FMAA staff that helped make it happen. Thanks also to Gazebo Gardens for a lovely venue.
I am always on the verge of tears at our showcases. I get the opportunity to sit and REALLY listen… and take in what happens at our school. I get to see progress in students that have been there a while. I get to see the bravery of students going on stage for the first time. I get to see a beautiful slice of humanity and I get to see love and hope in a world that really needs it. Boy, do I have a great job." - Deb
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As always, there are pictures available to you! Click the button below to view: |
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The second award is The Fresno Bee's BEST Of Central Califonia Peoples Choice Award! We are overjoyed to share this victory with the staff and students of both our Tower district location and our fabulous new North Fresno location! It's almost too good to believe that we have such a caring group of supporters. Thank you so much for believing in our collective dream of sharing the healing powers of music with the people of Fresno!
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Two Awards For FMAA!
And it's all thanks to you and the support of our great community! The first award we have received this past month is The Central Califonia Parent Readers' Choice 'Best For Music Lessons', which we have won FIVE times now and has done wonders to let the people of the central valley know who we are and what we do.
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We love our office staff! Surely you know Allison, our amazing office manager (center) and Emily, our front desk receptionist (on the right), but you might not have met our newest edition, Kattie (left)! She is the daughter of our beloved David Aus, and we are so happy to welcome her into our musical family.
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Special Offer
School is out for the summer and now is a great time to enroll! Save BIG when you start music lessons this season, Expires 6/17!
$35 OFF registration, a $25 Retail Certificate & entry to win a $50 Amazon card on July 4th! Located at: Cedar/Nees in N Fresno, and Wishon/Olive Ave.
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CALL TO CLAIM: 559-222-7464 |
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8 Ways to Encourage Creative Thinking in Children
Being creative allows one to be more flexible and emerge as better problem solvers, which makes them more capable in terms of adapting to technological advances and making the most of new opportunities!
Creativity is more skill than inborn talent, an ability that both parents and teachers can facilitate among the kids by giving an outlet. It is a common misconception that creativity is an inborn talent, which means, either the kids have it or they don’t.
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But it isn’t true. It might just surprise you as a parent that their perception is often way more creative than you think. In fact, they might just come up with some innovative ideas to make the world more futuristic than any adult would dare to even dream of.
Since it is a key to success in nearly everything we do, creativity is a significant component and the main focus of organizations in any field. Clearly, it becomes crucial to foster such kind of thinking in kids from their formative years. That said, creativity is not limited to artistic and musical expression. It is also essential for science, mathematical, linguistic, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, naturalist, and even social and emotional intelligence. After all, being creative allows one to be more flexible and emerge as better problem solvers, which makes them more capable in terms of adapting to technological advances and making the most of new opportunities. So, here are some easy ways to help the children in expressing their creativity!
1. Make Children Question Things
One of the main ways of developing creative thinking in children is to urge them to wonder. Whenever you are spending time with them, ask them questions like why is the sky blue? Why does the ocean water have waves and not the water in lakes or ponds? How does gravity work? And so on. Explaining such things to them would help them in becoming curious, thereby enhancing their imaginative skills and inculcating problem-solving abilities.
2. Provide Opportunities to Express Their Intelligence
Another important thing to remember is that even though there are different types of intelligence, they can be developed over time even if the child isn’t necessarily exhibiting the characteristics. Sometimes it is difficult to recognize their natural inclination toward a certain form of intelligence. In that case, give them ample opportunities to express all the forms of intelligence and pick up on what they do best.
3. Teach Them Multiple Ways to Solve Every Problem
Be it a math problem or an emotional problem they’re facing in real life, as a parent or a guardian, you must make your children understand that there are multiple ways to solve a problem and also different perspectives to look at everything.
4. Trigger Their Curiosity
Children are born curious and they want to know extra about anything and everything. It is thus the responsibility of the parents and the teachers to provide interesting and relevant indications to further drive their curiosity in the right direction. For instance, they can be exposed to the rich art, culture, and literature of a country and simultaneously be made familiar with their hidden meanings and implications. You can also talk about the deteriorating environmental situations with them and how it can affect the life of human beings and animals around. By involving them in such meaningful discussions, parents can get their curiosity going in a way that they would want to know more.
5. Engage Them With Activity Boxes
Creative intelligence and its importance depend on out-of-the-box thinking or going beyond thinking about the obvious things that we’re often presented with. To make it happen, they need some peaceful time away from digital gadgets, which is a little tough these days. You can make your child think out of the box by engaging them with creative games and activities. The play-based learning tools help in developing various skills like coordination, self-expression, fine motor, etc.
6. Encourage Children to Read for Pleasure
Limit TV or other screen time for your kids to make room for creative hobbies like reading as it encourages thought activity which in turn promotes creativity. Reading can help your child understand and express better, develop their logical thinking, and help them to focus on learning new things. You can frequently take them to visit the library in your locality and discuss their favorite author or book and its characters. This will give you an insight into your child’s way of thinking.
7. Give Them Free Time & Space
Building skills in a methodical way is important. But it is important to give the kids enough space to freely explore their imaginations. Let them spend a few idle hours at home without any scheduled activities so that the child can just aimlessly roam around and run their imagination wild in whatever they are doing.
8. Avoid Rewarding Children for Exhibiting Creativity
Offering incentives to your kids to perform any creative activity can hinder the process, resulting in reducing the quality and flexibility of their thoughts. So, allow your children to master the creative activities that they are innately motivated to do, rather than motivating them with rewards and incentives for the same.
Written by Arunprasad Durairaj published for Entrepreneur
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Coming together in support of the LGBTQ+ community continues to be a critical component of fostering a culture of equality! This month, we celebrate the courage, strength, and resilience that defines this willful community. In the midst of adversity and the pursuit of equality, the members of the LGBT community show their true colors with confidence and pride.
Pride in the various races, genders, and beliefs that make up the community! Pride in overcoming personal challenges, and pride in being genuine and true to themselves.
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We are all musicians, artists, inventors, business leaders, educators, healers, lawmakers, and activists, but also neighbors and family members. If we are to live up to the ideals that set the foundation for this country, we must ensure that all Americans have an equal opportunity to live freely and successfully, and we must treat all with respect and dignity. |
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Fathers Day is on the 19th, it's a great time to let the father figures in your life know that you appreciate them! |
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June 1st is Pride Day! Show love and support to the members of LGBTQ+ that have touched your life! |
June 22nd is 'bring your cat to work day'! If you're lucky enough to work from home, then this day won't be different from any other... But isn't it nice to have a furry friend around? |
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That's right, for the months of July and August we are opening an art class! For now, there are only a few slots available, so make sure you call and claim your spot soon!
AGES 8-14 - FIVE SLOTS PER CLASS
MONDAYS IN TOWER DISTRICT 10:30-12:30
TUESDAYS IN NORTH FRESNO 10:30-12:30
559-222-SING (7464)
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Refer a new student! If you refer us to a student that signs up to take lessons with us, you and that student get a $25 gift card, and YOUR name is entered into a contest to win a $250 gift card. Please help us spread the word!
People who refer and get someone to sign up will be put into a December drawing! The prize is two tickets to Roger Rocka’s Dinner & Show!
Do you know anyone who would benefit from music lessons? This is the most rewarding way to help Fresno Music Academy & Arts! All you have to do is fill out a short form...
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For the benefit of new and existing students, we've created a VIRTUAL TOUR of Fresno Music Academy & Arts.
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🎶 Music Facts 🎶
Music Helps Plants Grow Faster! According to a study by scientists around the globe, plants grow at a faster pace when they are played classical music.
In South Korea, scientists used 14 different pieces of music, the scientists played music to a rice field and studied the results. Findings were that the music helped the crops grow and even suggested evidence that plants could “hear”.
We suggest practicing your instrument in your veggie garden!
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Welcome, new students!
We appreciate your commitment to helping Fresno Music Academy & Arts grow! Music should be shared with everyone. Thank you!
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Music is the Universal Language. We at Fresno Music Academy & Arts believe deeply that music is a way to spread love and peace into this world. We help do that everyday, by teaching music to children and adults from all backgrounds and walks of life. |
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HOURS:
Monday - Friday, 10AM-7PM and Saturday, 9AM-3PM
Opening Sundays SOON!
We offer lessons in: Voice, piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, drums, violin, flute, clarinet, and a recognized early childhood music program MUSIC FUNTIME.
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559-222-SING (7464) & (559) 207-3833
1298 N. Wishon Ave.
Fresno, CA 93728
8068 N Cedar Ave.
Fresno, CA 93728
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